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        𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐎 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐘'𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍. She was lucky she remembered to get her outfit to the cleaners in time to have it back for the interview. She was hell-bent on getting that job, and money had a way of constricting around her like a snake real fast.

        "All right, c'mere il mio piccolo Cerbiatto." Nicky picked her up and heaved her up dramatically, trying to earn a giggle for the moody little girl. He failed miserably, she just stared at him, not a hint of a smile on her face. He felt bad when he realized how much he hated the fact she had her mother's chocolate eyes.

        "Why don't you play outside while papa has this interview, huh? S'at sound good to you?" he questioned, spinning around toward the front door. He let her down and opened it for her, for she couldn't quite get those doorknobs yet. Aurora toddled off to find her kiddie bike, leaving her father without a word.

        The neighborhood Nicky Ricci lived in was very, very nice. Kennedy marveled at the white picket fences and colorful homes. People were out working in their gardens or washing expensive looking cars and smoking cigarettes. Two men sat in a turquoise Caddy, smoking a cigarette each. It was a nice day outside. She almost felt like she didn't belong, standing up taller and straightening her peplum. She felt imaginary eyes burning holes through her back.

        Double-checking the address listed on the classified ad, she rang the doorbell, smiling softly at the little girl playing sullenly on a trike in the front yard.

        "Y'know you could have a lot more fun if you'd let yourself." She said softly, looking down at the girl. The girl just glared back up at her with doe eyes. "I mean it. You've no hope being happy if you keep moping around like that. At least try to have some fun, huh? If I didn't have somewhere to be I'd have half a mind to come out and play with you." She shot the little girl a small smile. "Maybe when I'm done I'll run by the grocery store and pick you up some circus peanuts and we can play acrobats. How does that sound?" Silence was the only thing shared between them. "I'll take that as a yes. Catch you later, cool cat."

        Nicky was watching the exchange from the living room window. His mouth hung open in cool disbelief. He hadn't seen anything like it since Vittoria died. After the girl walked off, Aurora was smiling. She turned and began playing by herself. Nicky couldn't believe it.

        He pushed his horn-rimmed glasses back up his nose with his knuckle and straightened some papers that were sitting on the coffee-table. He headed toward the door when he heard the familiar tingle of the doorbell and let her in. He put on his best charming smile. The one he used on counterfeit wannabe mobsters, when they had something he wanted.

        "Miss Harlow." He acknowledged her, stepping to the side to let her into his home. "Find yourself a seat, make yourself at home. Ashtrays on the coffee-table." She smiled and did as told, sitting down on the couch across his armchair. She crossed her legs daintily and sat her purse down into her lap.

        The meeting went well. The pair found that conversation came easily. Kennedy was a natural conversationalist, and Nicky a skilled con. They talked for a little longer than Nicky expected. It wasn't long before Nicky knew all he needed to know, and perhaps a little more.

        "Well?" Kennedy asked, hopefully.

        "I'll call you." Nicky replied, not looking up from those papers, now in his hands. He took a pull off his cigarette, inhaling it back into his nose before it could dissipate into the air.

        "Mr. Ricci?" she said, almost sounding shy, but she was more embarrassed. He looked up, blue eyes flashing like daggers in low light. Her cheeks were red. "I don't have a personal phone. Do you mind calling an apartment building?"

italian translation: "my little fawn"

thank you guys so much for reading! pls don't forget to vote, comment, and drop me a follow. things r picking up a bit and i hope you're as excited as i am !! i've also been doing a bunch of research so i can give you guys an accurate look into nicky's life in la cosa nostra. hope you all enjoyed and enjoy whats to come <3